March has two birthstones: aquamarine and bloodstone. Aquamarine, the modern choice, is a clear blue to greenish blue gem named after seawater. Bloodstone, the traditional one, is an opaque dark green stone flecked with red. They look nothing alike, but both are tough enough for regular wear, and by tradition both are stones of courage and protection.
What is the birthstone for March?
Most jewelers will answer aquamarine. It is the March stone on the Jewelers of America list, and the Gemological Institute of America and the American Gem Society name it first.
Bloodstone is the older choice. When American jewelers agreed on a standard list in 1912, March was given both stones, and aquamarine gradually took the lead. The American Gem Society and GIA still list both.
In Britain the National Association of Jewellers names aquamarine as the traditional gemstone for March, with jade as the alternative. Older British lists paired bloodstone with aquamarine, as the American one did.
To check a particular birthday, enter the date: you get the stone along with the birth flower and both zodiacs, Western and Chinese.
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Aquamarine: the modern March birthstone
Aquamarine is the blue to greenish blue variety of the mineral beryl, which makes it a close relative of emerald, the green beryl. The name comes from the Latin for seawater.
- Color. Usually a light, pastel greenish blue; deeper, purer blues are valued most. Heat treatment gives the stone a more bluish look, so a pure blue aquamarine may well have been heated. Ask the seller.
- Clarity. Faceted aquamarines are often free of visible inclusions, as clear as water.
- Size. Aquamarine crystals grow large. The Dom Pedro Aquamarine at the Smithsonian Institution weighs 10,363 carats and stands about 14 inches (36 cm) high.
Where it comes from. The Brazilian state of Minas Gerais has been an important source for two centuries. Aquamarine is also mined high in the Karakoram foothills of Pakistan, in Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Zambia and Mozambique, and in the United States, where it is the state gem of Colorado.
Bloodstone: the traditional March birthstone
Bloodstone, also called heliotrope, is a variety of chalcedony, which is quartz made of crystals too small to see. It is dark green and semi-translucent to opaque, with red spots of iron oxide.
It is usually cut as a smooth, domed cabochon or carved rather than faceted, and engraved bloodstone gems survive from the Roman Empire. Most bloodstone on the market today comes from India; it is also found in Brazil, Australia, China and the United States.
Next to aquamarine, bloodstone is the inexpensive, understated option, a good fit for signet rings and cufflinks.
What do the March birthstones mean?
Aquamarine's lore belongs to the sea. Ancient sailors believed the gem calmed the waves and kept them safe on the water. It was also said to bring happiness in marriage and to protect its wearer in battle and in court.
Bloodstone's name reflects the belief that its red spots represent the blood of Christ. "Heliotrope" comes from Greek words meaning "to turn the sun": the ancients claimed the stone turned the sun red when placed in water. It was credited with giving strength, even invisibility, and with preserving health and youth, and some athletes still carry one as a lucky charm.
All of this is folklore, not fact. No gem protects a ship or keeps anyone healthy, and neither stone is a substitute for medical care. What the stories do give you is a theme for a gift: calm seas for aquamarine, courage for bloodstone.
How to care for aquamarine and bloodstone
| Aquamarine | Bloodstone | |
|---|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 7.5 to 8 | 6.5 to 7 |
| Everyday wear | Yes, including rings | Yes, with some care |
| Safe cleaning | Warm water, mild dish soap, toothbrush | Warm soapy water, soft brush |
| Ultrasonic or steam | Usually safe if the stone has no fractures or liquid inclusions | Not needed; soap and water is the recommended method |
| Watch out for | Dirt behind the stone, which dulls it | Harsh chemicals and very high heat |
Dry both with a soft cloth. Store bloodstone wrapped in soft fabric so harder gems don't scratch it.
Gift ideas for a March birthday
- Aquamarine studs or a solitaire pendant suit almost everyone; the pale blue works with silver, white gold and platinum.
- An aquamarine ring is a practical everyday piece, because the stone is hard and usually clean.
- A statement stone. Since aquamarine forms large crystals, big stones are easier to find than in most gems. Price climbs with depth of color more than with size.
- A bloodstone signet ring or cufflinks for someone who prefers dark, quiet jewelry.
- Both together. A small bloodstone charm next to an aquamarine pendant covers the modern and the traditional lists.
Aquamarine is also the gem for a 19th wedding anniversary; see our guide to gifts for every wedding anniversary.
March birth flowers: daffodil and jonquil
March's birth flowers are the daffodil and the jonquil. Both are kinds of narcissus. Daffodils are among the first flowers of spring, so in the traditional language of flowers they stand for rebirth, new beginnings and hope. A bunch of yellow daffodils beside a pale blue aquamarine makes a gift in the colors of early spring. Take the symbolism lightly; it is a pleasant old custom and nothing more. Every month's pair is in our guide to birth flowers by month.
Born on the edge of the month? See February's amethyst or April's diamond, or open the full chart of birthstones by month.